title: Hepatitis B vaccination status among healthcare workers in a tertiary care hospital in Tripoli, Libya.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in hospitals in developing countries is high. However, the vaccination status of these workers and its relationship with occupational factors are not well documented.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of HCWs to HBV infection in the representative Tripoli Central Hospital in Libya and prepare a practical guideline to protect HCWs from occupational exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire survey was administered to 2705 healthcare workers of a university hospital in Tripoli. The questionnaire included vaccination status. Compliance with preventive practices against HBV infection was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall vaccination coverage (anti-HBs) was 78.1%. Furthermore, 82.6% of HCWs had received at least one dose of vaccine, but only 72% reported that they were fully vaccinated. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen was 1.1%. The mean prevalence of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) was 17.3%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCWs at hospitals are frequently exposed to blood-borne infections. Vaccines should be more readily available for Libyan HCWs, and current vaccination programs should be enforced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Central Hospital, Tripoli, Libya. hisham.ziglam@gmail.com
authors.forename: Hisham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ziglam
authors.forename: Mabrouk
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Hattab
authors.forename: Noura
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shingheer
authors.forename: Abdulaziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zorgani
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Elahmer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008002:Libya; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines